HSV in Mallorca: Isolation in the training camp – practical reasons or missed opportunities?

HSV in Mallorca: sun, sweat and a quiet debate

In the early morning, when the cicadas begin to chirp under the Mallorcan sun and the wind from the Bay of Palma carries a salty breeze across the training pitches, the ball rolls on Son Moix-like turf – only this time without the familiar shouts of the fans. Hamburger SV has started its training camp on the island, focused and surprisingly secluded. The team is working hard, coach Merlin Polzin has clear goals. But the decision to hold the camp behind closed doors raises questions: Is it pure common sense — or is the club giving up an opportunity to build bridges with the local football community?

The friendly against Real Mallorca: a big game with a limited audience

The sporting highlight comes on Saturday: a friendly against Real Mallorca at Son Moix. For many Mallorcans, such a match is a welcome summer event that brings football tourists to Palma and the coastal towns. Formally, there is still the possibility that season ticket holders release seats — so leftover tickets might appear in the coming days. But the atmosphere will be different from a regular league match: fewer chants, more security zones, stricter access – a training match in a corset.

The less noticed consequences of the seclusion

At first glance, a closed training camp seems pragmatic: quiet for the players, less media frenzy, focused preparation. The flip side becomes visible on closer inspection. Local fans, youth teams and the small businesses around training pitches and hotels are left out. Small bars in Portixol or the beach cafés in Cala Major, which benefit from short stays by international teams, see less foot traffic as a result. Young players who could be inspired by professionals also lose the rare chance to get close to their club – a real loss for regional talent development.

Another often overlooked issue is how the team is perceived in the host region. An open training session creates sympathy, media presence and a better image in the long term. If a traditional club like HSV does not use these opportunities, it signals distance – and that at a time when football clubs urgently need local roots.

Pragmatic alternatives: how clubs could act more thoughtfully

The decision to isolate can have good reasons: heat-related strain, protection against injury risks or tactical secrecy. Nevertheless, there are practical middle paths that protect players while involving local stakeholders.

Concrete proposals:

1. Limited access options: A short, controlled open training in the morning with 200–300 tickets for local youth coaches, sponsors and club partners. This creates proximity without disturbing the camp's routine.

2. Live streams and community formats: Official training sequences via livestream, commented on by club representatives or former pros. In addition, Q&A sessions with a youth coach on site would engage local clubs.

3. Youth workshops: A half-hour technical workshop for local youth teams – supervised by an assistant coach or a player – would be a small but valuable integration offering.

4. Cooperation with local businesses: Short-term partnerships with bars, restaurants and hotels in Palma and the surrounding area could mitigate economic losses (e.g. fan lunch offers, discount promotions for season ticket holders).

What the island gains — and what it does not

Mallorca benefits from sports tourism: the island is a stage for runs, cycling races and football events in summer. An open, friendly image of visiting clubs strengthens the offer. But if big teams appear only as secluded training guests, the economic effect is smaller – apart from hotel nights. The real opportunity would lie in mutual closeness: local youth development, small PR actions in Palma, joint sports offers that have an impact beyond the weekend.

Conclusion: between common sense and missed opportunity

The HSV's preparation in Mallorca will certainly make sporting sense. Polzin's goal to get the team fit is legitimate – and the heat that lies over the bay at midday does not make training easier. Still, a traditional club should not underestimate the island's potential as a stage for fan engagement and community work. A few open hours, a workshop, a livestream – small measures with big effect. For the island, that would mean a bit more noise in the cafés and more sympathy in the stadiums. For the club? A bit more closeness and perhaps more fans in the long run who say: 'They were here, talked to us.' And that, one could almost believe, is in the end just as important as the conditioning runs at sunrise.